Parenting can involve a lot of “firsts.” The first time expecting a baby, a little one’s first day in their own room, a first day of school. The list goes on. Sometimes, firsts can be challenging, even overwhelming, for both parent and child. What if there were a way to feel more peace during these times of transition?
I’m no parenting expert, but what I’ve found is that prayer in Christian Science uplifts thought to bless, meeting every need, no matter where one is on their parenting journey. And one thing that’s helped me the most in my prayers about these new adventures is gratitude.
My toddler woke up early one morning asking to “cuddle Mom.” That day I was going on an important trip, and I’d be traveling without my son … a first for us. Holding my face with his tears rolling, he asked when I’d be back.
I would miss him, too! My own tears were thankfully hidden by the darkness – I didn’t want to contribute to his fear. As I turned in prayer to God, the divine Father and Mother of both of us, the word “gratitude” immediately came to thought. This surprised me, as I had felt tethered to the uncertainty of leaving my young son and how he’d do without Mom around – although I trusted that my husband would take perfect care of him. I hadn’t been focused on all of the good that Christian Science shows us is always going on.
Together, we gave gratitude, including acknowledging the loving care that his dad would give him while I was away. We also expressed gratitude that God, divine Love, was both his Father and Mother, always caring for him. The love I felt from this prayer of gratitude was immediate. Nothing had changed about the situation itself; however, my thought had. My son’s crying turned into the joyful singing of his favorite hymn. And every detail of my trip unfolded perfectly; I felt so cared for by the hospitality of the close friends that I stayed with.
Parents and caregivers can be released from the dread of any firsts. What if when anything new comes up, we could make a conscious choice to express gratitude? What if we could be grateful for God’s unfolding good and progress – no matter what need arises? Parenting would certainly be a lot easier, and more fun, even in the firsts!
Prayer propels us forward in our understanding that “progress is the law of God,” good (Mary Baker Eddy, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” p. 233). As we grow in our understanding of God, divine Spirit, and our being part of His spiritual creation, we learn to lean more on God for love and for all our needs, which He meets perfectly.
In any “first,” I’ve cherished the saying, “God goes with you and stays with me,” which points to God’s ever-presence. And, because we are spiritual, God has taken care of those we look after way before any of us ever did, and He continues to. Our gratitude for this fact reveals that divine Love undergirds our caregiving.
Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes, “Are we really grateful for the good already received? Then we shall avail ourselves of the blessings we have, and thus be fitted to receive more” (Science and Health, p. 3).
When the prophet Elisha told a widow to pour oil from a pot into many vessels, the oil overflowed. She was able to sell that oil to pay off all her debt and save her sons from slavery (see II Kings 4:1-7). Appreciating what we have can reveal more of God’s kingdom.
Christ Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). This means caregivers can feel all the peace and love needed to carry them through the challenges of the day. In the kingdom there is no suffering, only joyous recognition of all good. As we understand God’s spiritual laws of good, we see them acting in our experience. These laws point to our spiritual identity, our limitless ability, and Love’s guidance of each of us, children and parents included.
Speaking of God, the prophet Isaiah says, “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11). We can be grateful right now for this divine promise, and be led into the peace and harmony that parenting calls for and that every parent and child deserves.
Because we are at one with God, we can feel the spiritual love that reveals our natural gratitude. No matter the need, we can each come into the grateful understanding that God is our Mother and Father.